![\"\"](\"http:\/\/slimmingworld.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/ian-gascoyne-1-alcohol-awareness-slimming-world-blog.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nAt the time, I wouldn\u2019t have said I drank in excess, but I also didn\u2019t consider the calories in the pints of lager and cider I was downing. Although I\u2019d never touch a full-fat cola, thinking it was packed with sugar, I\u2019d happily down a pint of lager without even thinking about it. I\u2019d go on to eat more than I intended, too, grabbing a takeaway pizza on my way home from the pub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tipping towards weight gain<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nI\u2019d tried all sorts to lose weight, including shakes and fad diets. I\u2019d smash it for two weeks, then give up when I got bored. My job as an insulation sales person meant a lot of driving and I relied on takeaways and shop-bought meals to keep me going. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both my mum and sister could see how unhappy I was. They kept asking me to join them at their slimming club, but I was scared and embarrassed, convinced I\u2019d be the only man there. With my weight continuing to creep up and my health getting worse, though, I knew I needed help. The next time they asked me to go along to Slimming World with them, I surprised them by saying yes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MORE ON THE BLOG: Slimming World mythbusters: it\u2019s not for men<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nI remember feeling nervous when I walked into my local Slimming World group<\/a>, but when I saw there were quite a few men there it made me feel better. It wouldn\u2019t have mattered if I was the only man, though, as everyone was really friendly. I was surprised at how easy it was to adapt to Food Optimising; I never once felt hungry. Over the next 12 months, I lost 10st.<\/p>\n\n\n\nI\u2019d never attempted to cook anything myself before \u2013 I was the kind of person who\u2019d set the toaster on fire! Now I\u2019m gradually becoming more confident in the kitchen. I always make sure that I have breakfast, and my favourite meal is a big breakfast with bacon (with the fat cut off), eggs, beans and mushrooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Slim](\"http:\/\/slimmingworld.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Christmas-CTA.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nFinding my beverage balance<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nInitially I gave up drinking for three months, then I went on holiday and introduced it again, but with more thought. I now often choose lighter beers or have a vodka and diet cola. I also make sure I have healthier snacks available for those post-drinking munchies. Watermelon is my favourite, and pickled onions are my go-to savoury snack. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
MORE ON THE BLOG: These satisfying recipes will help you beat the snack attacks<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nGoing to group has given me all the tools and support I need to live a healthier life. My group\u2019s Consultant is so good at motivating people \u2013 she can have the group going from tears to howling with laughter. Because she understood the challenges I faced and empathised, she was able to give me great advice about how to curb my drinking in those early days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A healthy measure<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nI see a lot more of my family now, which is fantastic. My sister says she feels as if she\u2019s got her brother back. When we finally got to Disneyland Paris, I had a great time getting on all the rides with my son, without feeling self-conscious and fearing I\u2019d get stuck. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019ve also noticed that by keeping drinking to something I do on holiday or for special occasions, I\u2019m generally much more positive and have more energy. I used to feel so lethargic and groggy after drinking the night before. I\u2019m also a lot less anxious. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
MORE ON THE BLOG: If you\u2019d like to cut back on alcohol, you\u2019ll find lots of information and some top tipple tips here.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nThis year, more than any other, I feel as if I\u2019ve dodged a major bullet by turning my health around \u2013 especially as the risk of being severely ill from COVID-19 increases if you\u2019re overweight. I know now if you look after yourself, everything else falls into place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Ian](\"http:\/\/slimmingworld.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/ian-gascoyne-alcohol-awareness-slimming-world-blog.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nAs Ian\u2019s story shows, dialling down the drink can have big benefits for your overall health and your weight loss. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our local groups are here to help you achieve your weight loss goals with expert guidance, proven slimming strategies and unbeatable support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I remember feeling nervous when I walked into my local Slimming World group<\/a>, but when I saw there were quite a few men there it made me feel better. It wouldn\u2019t have mattered if I was the only man, though, as everyone was really friendly. I was surprised at how easy it was to adapt to Food Optimising; I never once felt hungry. Over the next 12 months, I lost 10st.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019d never attempted to cook anything myself before \u2013 I was the kind of person who\u2019d set the toaster on fire! Now I\u2019m gradually becoming more confident in the kitchen. I always make sure that I have breakfast, and my favourite meal is a big breakfast with bacon (with the fat cut off), eggs, beans and mushrooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Initially I gave up drinking for three months, then I went on holiday and introduced it again, but with more thought. I now often choose lighter beers or have a vodka and diet cola. I also make sure I have healthier snacks available for those post-drinking munchies. Watermelon is my favourite, and pickled onions are my go-to savoury snack. <\/p>\n\n\n\n MORE ON THE BLOG: These satisfying recipes will help you beat the snack attacks<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Going to group has given me all the tools and support I need to live a healthier life. My group\u2019s Consultant is so good at motivating people \u2013 she can have the group going from tears to howling with laughter. Because she understood the challenges I faced and empathised, she was able to give me great advice about how to curb my drinking in those early days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I see a lot more of my family now, which is fantastic. My sister says she feels as if she\u2019s got her brother back. When we finally got to Disneyland Paris, I had a great time getting on all the rides with my son, without feeling self-conscious and fearing I\u2019d get stuck. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019ve also noticed that by keeping drinking to something I do on holiday or for special occasions, I\u2019m generally much more positive and have more energy. I used to feel so lethargic and groggy after drinking the night before. I\u2019m also a lot less anxious. <\/p>\n\n\n\n MORE ON THE BLOG: If you\u2019d like to cut back on alcohol, you\u2019ll find lots of information and some top tipple tips here.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n This year, more than any other, I feel as if I\u2019ve dodged a major bullet by turning my health around \u2013 especially as the risk of being severely ill from COVID-19 increases if you\u2019re overweight. I know now if you look after yourself, everything else falls into place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As Ian\u2019s story shows, dialling down the drink can have big benefits for your overall health and your weight loss. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Our local groups are here to help you achieve your weight loss goals with expert guidance, proven slimming strategies and unbeatable support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nFinding my beverage balance<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A healthy measure<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n